'09 CA PF Renardo Sidney (Miss St Verbal, USC decommit)

[BignuT]

This article sheds a little bit of light on the situation:

An Endless Summer League - washingtonpost.com

[briegg]

Interesting read - I recommend reading this article for those not in tune with the shady things that can go on in the world of youth basketball. I feel sorry for these kids that begin to have their childhood striped by the age of 12 or 13.

of note:

"Sidney receives about 10 letters a week from colleges, but coaches often go to other measures to try to cultivate a relationship with the player, the elder Sidney said. He said colleges several times have invited him to run a basketball camp at their school for a fee. He has done it once -- at a Southeastern Conference school -- but declined all other offers because he believes the schools only want to get close to his son."

There's a surprise.

[BignuT]

Originally being from MS, I would be willing to bet that was with Stansbury at M$U

[wigmon]

The article is worth a read, but understand it was written last summer when Sidney was in the midst of deciding to move to Cali and had not been able to play HS ball the previous year. You are talking about a kid who just finished the 9th grade, wasn't permitted to play HS ball the year before and was up in the air about his near future.

[BuckWrestler141]

Great read, his parents kind of tear highschool basketball apart, made me wonder, did he play for his high school as a sophmore?

[bucknut11]

Originally Posted by BignuT

This article sheds a little bit of light on the situation:

An Endless Summer League - washingtonpost.com

I don't know anything about his situation beyond the articles here, but...... after reading that article, I'm not sure I'd want Renardo coming here to play. Seems like quite the circus, and with all those gifts, agents, etc floating around, it sounds like an NCAA investigation waiting to happen.

[wigmon]

Sidney did play HS ball last year for Artesia in CA. I think I read where the coach of Artesia left and he might be transferring again, but I can't remember where I read that.

I think its wise to proceed with caution with all that has surrounded this young man, but I've read comments from his father that indicate he is trying to protect his son from those that are trying to take advantage of him. As long as the kid is clean and has a desire to go to college and be a team player, I have no problems taking him even though he's likely a one and done.

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

I don't know anything about his situation beyond the articles here, but...... after reading that article, I'm not sure I'd want Renardo coming here to play. Seems like quite the circus, and with all those gifts, agents, etc floating around, it sounds like an NCAA investigation waiting to happen.

I think I am going to have to echo your sentiments. I almost would rather have to more lowkey Daniel Orton, who already holds an offer, so it may be true that that is what the staff is thinking too. Both are big kids and both are future studs at Center... but Orton seems to have more of an Oden demeanor. I like that.

[el mastiff]

Originally Posted by BGriffBuckeye

I think I am going to have to echo your sentiments. I almost would rather have to more lowkey Daniel Orton, who already holds an offer, so it may be true that that is what the staff is thinking too. Both are big kids and both are future studs at Center... but Orton seems to have more of an Oden demeanor. I like that.

I hope you can have a change of heart (if he's offered), because Sidney likes the bucks. Here is a couple quotes from Bob Hunter's Rumblings.

"I have a lot of schools recruiting me, but I really like Ohio State. That's who I'm leaning toward," Sidney told The Evening Bulletin of Philadelphia during the Reebok camp.
Two weeks later, in Las Vegas, Sidney told Rivals.com, "I love Ohio State and the way they play. I enjoyed watching Greg Oden and Mike Conley, and I think coach (Thad) Matta does a great job coaching."

The Columbus Dispatch : Bob Hunter: Rumblings

[wadc45]

Unless your provide a link we have to assume you got that from a premium article, in this case Brian Snow's Hoops Skull Session...

[Buckskin86]

A Young Big Man Shoots Like a Little Guy
By STEPHEN DANLEY
Published: August 16, 2007

Renardo Sidney may not be a household name, but he is well on his way to becoming one. The hype machine is already at work. Some think he could be the next high school player with a LeBron James-type impact on the National Basketball Association.

Hype aside, seeing a 6-foot-10, 250-pound high school player like Sidney shoot feathery-soft 3-pointers is akin to seeing your sister dressed up to go to the prom with your best friend. You may have braced yourself ahead of time, but you are still not ready when it happens.

I?m not entirely sure any of us are ready for Sidney, a junior-to-be from Artesia High School in California who is considered the top player in the class of 2009. His rise to fame is linked to summer camps and the A.A.U. circuit. He did not even play high school basketball as a freshman.

Sidney is not the first big man to enjoy shooting the occasional 3. Deep inside every big man?s heart is the desire to be a guard. Every center wants the freedom to play on the perimeter, to shoot jump shots and not depend on the guards to pass him the ball inside. It is not only Sidney?s heart, however, that yearns to be a guard. His hands and feet do, as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/sp...tml?ref=sports

[OSU_Buckguy]

though renardo started in the elite 24 game, he played for only a brief time. after a poor outside shot, he was pulled. i don't know why. perhaps he wasn't feeling well. perhaps he pulled something. i can't imagine that the coach was upset with his shot selection. everyone shot everything. in fact, i think it was brandon jennings who threw an alley oop to himself off the backboard for a free throw. he was whistled for it. no go.

sidney was quiet before the game. he didn't talk much, and showed even less emotion. he was a hard one to gauge.

[BGriffBuckeye]

Rivals is listing an offer.....

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Rivals is listing an offer.....

Changing thread title....

[wigmon]

I had read where Sidney wasn't going to play in the game due to a leg injury (calf I believe). I'm guessing they probably decided to put him in the game so he could make an appearance and jack up at least one shot.